November 16, 2008

Tutorial Monday :: Jingle Mouse Ornament

We know you're frantically crafting for all your Holiday gift-giving (or you're like me and haven't started yet)--so here's a sweet little squeaker who would love to be hanging around on your tree! And if you leave off the ribbon loop and mix some catnip into your stuffing, I'm sure there would be a few felines (naughty or nice) who would love to have a new friend.

Wool felt for head, ears, tail and bottom (I used scalloped sewing shears to cut out bottom circle and tail)

Calico for body

Bell for nose

Embroidery thread for face

4" long ribbon for loop

Polyfil stuffing

Sew the head to the body, nose down on the right side facing of the calico. Flip head part up, iron flat and fold ove the sides of the body. Pin together, right sides facing. Don't forget to pin your loop inside, too. I place mine about halfway up the head piece. Here's a pic:

And here it is after you sew along the edge:

Turn it right side out.

Stuff its little sausage body. Once you've got it nice and firm, start sewing on the bottom circle. Having the scalloped (or pinked would be nice too) edges helps keep the stitches evenly spaced and hides kooky sewing. Don't forget to tuck in the end of the tail near the back seam! (I only say this because I've done it, myself)

Now your mouse is ready for ears. I like to pinch them in half and sew them with a few stitches at the end to form them before I stitch them on the body.

Stitch them to the body, on either side of the loop. Sew on bell to tip of nose. Using three strands of embroidery thread, sew eyes (either straight stitches or french knots will do) and a little mouth (like an upside-down "Y") if you like.

This pattern makes a lean little mouse about 5" tall. For a more petite rodent, shorten the body portion of the pattern and make the base circle smaller, as well. You could make a whole family! Eek!

This is so incredibly cute! I want the scalloped shears, too! haha Ive been dieing to get them for a while now and this just makes me want them even more! Im definitely going to have to try this tutorial out. Thanks so much for posting it!

I Have a mouse just like that one that my great grandmother made for my mom when she was little! My mom will love the surprise of seeing this on the tree Christmas morning. Thanks for the tut and patturn.

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